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Council clears first reading to ban sidewalk riding of bikes and e‑devices, carves out youth/walking exceptions
Summary
The council approved the first reading of an ordinance replacing the city’s 1976 bicycle code with a broader ‘Regulated Mobility Devices’ chapter that prohibits operating bicycles and motorized mobility devices on sidewalks, with exceptions for children under a set age and for pedestrians walking a bicycle.
Millbrae — The City Council on Tuesday approved the first reading of an ordinance to modernize the municipal code on bicycles and to regulate a wider range of mobility devices, including e-bikes, motorized scooters and electric personal mobility devices.
Public-works staff and City Engineer Sam Bautista said the existing Chapter 4.5 (titled “Bicycles”) dates to 1976 and includes obsolete provisions — for example, city-issued bicycle licenses that the city no longer issues. The new draft ordinance would rescind that chapter and replace it with modern definitions aligned to the California Vehicle Code and new rules that prohibit riding regulated mobility devices on sidewalks and on public athletic fields. The goal is to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and faster mobility devices and to align city rules to contemporary device types.
Council amendments
Several council members supported the core prohibition but requested limited exceptions. Vice Mayor Reuben Holiver suggested an age exemption for young children; the council adopted an amendment to exempt younger children from the sidewalk prohibition (council settled on an age exemption at or near age 10 in discussion). Councilmembers also asked staff to include explicit language permitting people to walk a bicycle on the sidewalk (an approach Burlingame uses to reduce pedestrian conflicts). The council voted 5-0 to waive the title beyond the first reading and send the ordinance back for second reading with the adopted amendments.
Enforcement and next steps
Director Bautista said the ordinance follows state definitions for device classes and that enforcement would generally mirror existing enforcement tools; the new chapter also prohibits the use of motorized devices on athletic fields and other municipal facilities where pedestrian use is expected. The ordinance will return for a second reading and adoption; staff said they will prepare implementing guidance and public outreach to inform residents about device classifications, designated street/sidewalk rules and the child exemption the council adopted.
Topics: public-safety, mobility, code-update
Speakers: Sam Bautista (Public Works/City Engineer), Council members and staff.
